Electric alarm



July 2 1952 w. CHAVIS ETAL ELECTRIC ALARM 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed March 7, 1950 .5. ww m mm CCU m ww h Q .9 I F INVENTGRS July 2 1952 w. CHAVIS ETAL ELECTRIC ALARM 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed March 7, 1950 .5 MM 66% 8 .e FN

INVENTORS 406:".

Patented July 22, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC ALARM Application March '7, 1950, Serial 180.148342 This invention comprises novel and useiul immovements in electric alarms, and more particularly pertains to a burglar alarm switch actuatin: device.

An important object 01 this invention is to provide a switch actuating mechanism which may be actuated into its cios'mg'position by either the application of a pressure directly'upon the switch actuating mechanism, or remotely operated by the engagement of a cord by an intruder or the like, which cord is operatively connected to the switch actuating mechanism.

Anothcrobiect of this invention is to provide aswitch actuating mechanism which is particularlyadapted to the direct actuation of heavydnty switches such as are necessary to energize large burglar alarm switches, yet whichactuator is'extremely sensitive to direct or remotely applied actuating impulses.

A further object of this invention is to provide a switch-actuating mechanism which is or compact and simple construction, yet durable and highlyemcient for the purposes intended.

An important feature of thisinvention resides in the provision at a vertically movable switch actuatingmember, and a brake-tor releasably retaining the actuating member in its inoperative'pesitien.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a vertically movable switch ac- 1 tuning member and a longitudinally movable centre! member which underlies the actuating member-in sucha manner that either a downvnrd pressure on the actuating member, or a tensioning of the cord attached to. the control member will cause the actuation of the switch actuating member.

18 another feature of thh. invention resides in flee provision means. tor resetting the switch.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features, are attained by this device, a preierred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in :the accompanying Mas, wherein:

Home l is a perspcctiveeievational viewer the olasm control unit;

figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the alas-ni eoma'ol unit shomg aplan view ofthe switch actuating mechanism;

Figure 3 is a schematic wiring diagram of the circuit mwhich the alarm unit may be employed;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional viewof the alarm control unit;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary i'ront elevational viewshowingthemeansbywhichtheswitch 2 actuating mechanism is connected to the switch;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane 66 of Figure 2 showing the brake means for the actuating mechanism; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectionalized detail view 01 the control rod memberguide.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings. wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, it can be seen that there is provided an alarm control unit indicated generally by the numeral it, which unit includes a support or base l2, a standard ll mounted upon the base l2, and a switch housing 6 mounted upon the standard.

A switch casing I8 is mounted within the housing l6 ln'any desired manner, and switches and 22 are mounted-within the casing it, a suitable face plate 24 beingattached to the casing as by fasteners '26 in order to render the appearance of the unit more emcacious. The switches 20 and 22 are preferably of the single pole, singlethrow type of switch and each has one of the terminals suitably connected, as by conductors 28 and 30, to .a source of power. For this purpose, a conventional receptacle 32 is electrically connected to the conductors 28 and 30, and suitably mounted on the housing I6, as by the strap 34, which receptacle is adapted to receive the plug which is attached to the conductors which lead to the source of power. Each of the other terminals of the switches 20 and 22 are electrically connected as by conductors 34 and 86 to an outlet 38, and also connected as by conductors and 42 to an outlet 44. It is intended that one oi the outlets, such as 38, be con nected to an alarm circuit in which a conventional hell or buzzer 46 and/or a signal light 48 is connected. It is further intended that the outlet 44 be either connected to another alarm circuit, in which the alarm units are located in a diflerent part of the building or the like, or, alternatively, the outlet 44 may be electrically connected too similar switch actuating mechanism so that a single light and bell. l8 and 46, respectively, may be actuated by anyv one or a plurality of alarm units.

An actuating member 50 comprising a trapeaoldal shaped ring 52 and an actuating rod 54 which is rigidly secured to the trapezoidal ring is vertically movably mounted on the base It. For this purpose, the actuating rod 54 is extended through a vertical transverse slot II in the standard l4, and is terminally pivoted to a bracket 58 which is secured to the base l2. As is believed believed readily apparent that the connecting link could be pivoted to the control handle of the switch 2| without departing from the spirit of this invention. In the event a flexible-connector 64 is utilized, it will be necessary to provide ameans for resetting the switch, and for this purpose there is provided a lever 5% which is pivoted as by the bracket 68 to the housing 26, one end of which lever is connected as by wire or cord '19- to the control handle for the switch 2%. As is believed readily apparent, pivoting of the lever 66 about the bracket 63 will elevate the switch handle to thereby reset the latter. f

As it is intended that the weight of thefactu ating member be sufficient to urge the switch 28 into its alarm circuit energizing position, it is believed obvious" that some sort of brake mechanism must be burnished. For this purpose, there is provided abrake bar '52 which is pivoted at one. ofits ends it to the standard t l so as to lie-in substantial: vertical, alignment with ione side oithegslot 5S; The otherend 0i the brake bar 12 is connected, as by-aiastener iii, to a suitable spring-l2 which is anchored to the standard was by the fastener 36 in such a manner as w to urgethe brake bar 72 into engagement with the actuator rod-54 It will thus be seen that there is provided-a brake which will impose a yielding resistance to the' downward movement of the actuating member 53, irrespective of the position'of the actuating rod 7 4 in the slot 55.

A control. bar 32 having a downwardly con.-

Wergingcam surface ifiton its iorward end is horizontally movably'mountedjupon the base. l2 by means of a link 85 which is pivotally connected as by the pinSS tothe control rod, and connected as by the pin 9% to an upstanding. flange, 9i on the base (2; Inthis manner, ,a rocking motion of the control b21182 may be readily accomplished, particularly when the pivot pin 88 is disposed vertically above the pivot pin 98 and thelink 8B is in its vertical. deadeoenter position. As -the cam portion 84' of thecontro'l. rod 82 is adapted to underlie-the actuating ,membel' till, it imperative that there be. provided some means for limiting pivotal movement of the control rod about the pin 88. For this purpose there is provided a U-shaped guide 84 which overlies the control rod 82 so as tolaterally guide the control rod and also limit thelaiorementioned pivotal movement. Anactuating cord 96 is connected to the rear end of the control rod 82, and is adapted to be entrained across passageways throu h which burglars or the like would generallypass.

The rear portion. of the control rod 82 is adapted to overlie therrear portion of the trape zoidal ring 52 and, orre'asons which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, the control rod is suitably recessed, as at 98, so as to form forward and rear vertical .abutments I00 and 19.2, respectively. Obviously,

therear abutment H32 vwill prevent forward movement of the control rod 82 when the abutment engages the ring 52, the forward abutment 1B0 limiting rearward movement in a similar manner.

Since, as previously stated, it is desirable to have the forward movement of the control rod 82 limited to that in which the link 86 will 'lie in a substantially vertical dead-center position, it is intended that at least the rear portion of the ring 52 is deformable so that adjustment of the point of contact between the ringand the rear abutmentl02 may be readily accomplished, to produce the aforementioned desideratuin.

1 In operation, the alarm control unit is suitably connected to a source of power by means of the outlet 32, the outlets 38 and 44 being connected either to separate remotely spaced alarm units, or an alarm unit and another alarm control unit.

-- The switch 22 is then manually closed, it being understood that the switch is opened whenever .it is desired to de-activate the control units.

The control unit"!!! can then be set so as to be actuatable solely by a downward pressure upon the actuating member 50, or, alternatively, it may; be set so asto be actuatable by either a downward pressure'on the control member. 59 or by a tensioningofthe'cordfifil 1 In the former instance, the brake bar J2 is utilized, the bar serving to hold the actuating rodand members 54 and 50, respectively ,in their upper cocked position, when the switch20 and the actuating member 50 are j's'et'by'a downward movement of the lever 66.' '4 1 b In the second} manner of operation, the brake bar fills pivoted out of engagement with the actuating rod fifiQandlocked in that position by a tighteningof the fastener 34' which serves asa pivot pin for the brake bar 12, the control rod 82 being moved sothat the cam surface 84 underlies the actuating'member 50. 'In-this type of setting, a slight downward pressure on the actuating member 58wi'll obviously cause the control rod 82 to be reciprocated out of its actuating member supporting position, as the latter rides over the cam surface 84 ofthe control rod. As it is obviously desirable to have afver'y sensie tive control, it :;isint ende d that the link 86 be positioned in its ver'tical. dead-center position, as previously discussed. In the event a tension is applied to the cord 96, it is believed apparent that the control rod 82 will also be reciprocated out of its actuating member supporting position, at which time the weight of the actuating member 50 will cause a closing of the switch 20. 7

From the foregoing, it is thoughtthat the construction and operationoiithe device will ;.be readily understoodgand further discussion is believed .tobe unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications will readily occurto those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawing, it isnot intended to .limit the invention to that shown and described, but all suitable modifications may be resortediito, falling :within the scope of the appended claims.

Having .described the invention, what is claimed as new is: s V Y.

1. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a, base, a standard-mounted on said base, a housing mounted on said standards; switch casing mounted in said housing, a switch mounted in said casing, ail-actuating ,rod'pivotally mounted on said base, an actuating member rigidly secured to said actuating rod, a connecting link pivotally connected to said actuating rod intermediate the ends thereof, means operatively, connecting said link to said switch. r I

- 2. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a ,base, a standard mounted-on saidbase, a 110115.-

ing mounted on said standard, a switch casing mounted in said housing, a switch mounted in said casing, an actuating rod pivotally mounted on said base, an actuating member rigidly secured to said actuating rod, a connecting link pivotally connected to said actuating rod intermediate the ends thereof, means operatively connecting said link to said switch, a resetting lever pivotally mounted on said housing, means operatively connecting said resetting lever to said switch.

3. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a base, a standard mounted on said base, a housing mounted on said standard, a switch casing mounted in said housing, a switch mounted in said casing, an actuating rod pivotally mounted on said base, an actuating member rigidly secured to said actuating rod, a connecting link pivotally connected to said actuating rod intermediate the ends thereof, means operatively connecting said link to said switch, a control bar horizontally movably mounted on said base, a cam portion on said bar. said cam portion underlying said actuating member.

4. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a base, a standard mounted on said base, a housing mounted on said standard, a switch casing mounted in said housing, a switch mounted in said casing, an actuating rod pivotally mounted on said base, an actuating member rigidly secured to said actuating rod, a connecting link pivotally connected to said actuating rod intermediate the ends thereof, means operatively connecting said link to said switch, a control bar horizontally movably mounted on said base, a cam portion on said bar, said cam portion underlying said actuating member, an actuating cord connected to said control bar.

5. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a base, a standard mounted on said base, a housing mounted on said standard, a switch casing mounted in said housing, a switch mounted in said casing, an actuating rod pivotally mounted on said base, an actuating member rigidly secured to said actuating rod, a connecting link pivotally connected to said actuating rod intermediate the ends thereoi, means operatively connecting said link to said switch, a brake bar piv oted on said standard, resilient means urging said brake bar into engagement with said actuating rod.

6. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a base, a hollow standard vertically mounted on said base, a housing mounted on said standard, a switch mounted in said housing, said standard having a vertically extending guide slot therein, an actuating rod pivotally mounted on said base and extending through said slot, an actuating member rigidly secured on said rod, a connecting link pivotally connected to said actuating rod within said hollow standard, means operatively connecting said link to said switch.

7. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a base, a hollow standard vertically mounted on said base, a housing mounted on said standard, a switch mounted in said housing, said standard having a vertically extending guide slot therein, an actuating rod pivotally mounted on said base and extending through said slot, an actuating member rigidly secured on said rod, a connecting link pivotally connected to said actuating rod within said hollow standard, means operatively connecting said link to said switch, a link pivotally mounted on said base, a control rod pivotally secured on said link and horizontally movable on said base, a cam face on said bar, said cam face underlying said actuating member.

8. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a base, a hollow standard vertically mounted on said base, a housing mounted on said standard, a switch mounted in said housing, said standard having a vertically extending guide slot therein, an actuating rod pivotally mounted on said base and extending through said slot, an actuating member rigidly secured on said rod, a connecting link pivotally connected to said actuating rod within said hollow standard, means operatively connecting said link to said switch, a link pivotally mounted on said base, a control rod pivotally secured on said link and horizontally movable on said base, a cam face on said control rod, said cam face underlying said actuating member, a portion of said control rod overlying a portion of said actuating member, a pair of spaced abutments on said rod adapted to engage said actuating member to limit lateral movement of said control rod.

9. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a base, a hollow standard vertically mounted on said base, a housing mounted on said standard, a switch mounted in said housing, said standard having a vertically extending guide slot therein, an actuating rod pivotally mounted on said base and extending through said slot, an actuating member rigidly secured on said rod, a connecting link pivotally connected to said actuating rod within said hollow standard, means operatively connecting said link to said switch, a brake bar pivotally mounted on said standard adjacent said slot, resilient means urging said brake bar into engagement with said actuator rod.

0. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a base, a hollow standard vertically mounted on said base, a housing mounted on said standard, a switch mounted in said housing, said standard having a vertically extending guide slot therein, an actuating rod pivotally mounted on said base and extending through said slot, an actuating member rigidly secured on said rod, a connecting link pivotally connected to said actuating rod within said hollow standard, means operatively connecting said link to said switch, a link pivotally mounted on said base, a control rod pivotally secured on said link and horizontally movable on said base, a cam face on said control rod, said cam face underlying said actuating member, a portion of said control rod overlying a portion of said actuating member, a pair of spaced abutments on said control rod adapted to engage said actuating member to limit lateral movement of said control rod, the portion of said actuating member engaged by said abutments being deformable to control the position of said control rod.

WILLIE CHAVIS. FANNIE CHAVIS. NOAH CHAVIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 761,572 Berger May 31, 1904 763,386 Fitch June 28, 1904 920,123 Fawcett May 4, 1909 1,064,290 Cato June 10, 1913 1,245,757 Merkel Nov. 6, 1917 1,740,107 Lewis Dec. 17, 1929 ,922,868 Rucker Aug. 15, 1933 

